Catalyst for direct reduction of carboxylic acid, process for preparation thereof and process for preparation of alcohol compound using the catalyst

Abstract

Disclosed are a catalyst for directly reducing a carboxylic acid, the catalyst comprising a tin compound and a ruthenium compound supported on a carrier, the catalyst being prepared by the steps of calcining the tin compound in the presence of oxygen after deposition of the tin compound alone on the carrier, and activating the obtained product after deposition of the ruthenium compound on said carrier, a process for preparing the catalyst, and a process for preparing an alcohol compound using the catalyst.

We claim: 
     
       1. A process for preparing an alcohol compound from a carboxylic acid compound, the process comprising subjecting the carboxylic acid compound to hydrogenolysis in the presence of a catalyst which comprises a tin compound and a ruthenium compound supported on a carrier, said catalyst being prepared by the steps of calcining the tin compound in the presence of oxygen after deposition of the tin compound alone on the carrier, and activating the obtained product after deposition of the ruthenium compound on said carrier. 
     
     
       2. A process according to claim 1, wherein the ruthenium compound and the tin compound are supported on the carrier in the proportions of, calculated as the metals, about 0.01 to about 20% by weight of the ruthenium compound and about 0.1 to about 50% by weight of the tin compound, based on the weight of the catalyst. 
     
     
       3. A process according to claim 1, wherein the tin compound is at least one member selected from the group consisting of bis(tributyltin) oxide, potassium stannate, sodium stannate, tin octylate and tributyltin chloride. 
     
     
       4. A process according to claim 1, wherein the calcination is conducted at a temperature of 400° C. or higher. 
     
     
       5. A process according to claim 1, wherein the activation is conducted by reduction in a stream of hydrogen at a temperature of 400° C. or higher.